Why Minute to Win It Games Work for Team Building
Minute to Win It games bring a particular dynamic to team-building events by combining healthy competition with teamwork. They encourage participants to work together, develop strategies, and support each other, all while competing entertainingly.
These shared moments of victory, defeat, and laughter help dissolve the traditional office hierarchies and create a sense of unity among employees.
The ticking clock – always counting down from 60 seconds! – adds adrenaline to the game, injecting extra excitement even into the most subdued gatherings. Plus, since these games can be played inside, they're a reliable choice regardless of the weather outside, which makes them the ultimate indoor team-building activity. Whether it's a rainy day or a sweltering summer afternoon, Minute to Win It games ensure your team-building event stays engaging and fun.
Best Minute to Win It Games for Large Groups
These Minute to Win It games are especially fun and efective if you’re playing with your large group of up to 30 participants. They can be easily set up indoors or outdoors and you can divide you group in multiple teams if you wish to welcome more people to the game.
1. Cookie Face Challenge
The Cookie Face Challenge is a game that tests players’ facial dexterity and patience. Each participant places a cookie on their forehead and must move it towards their mouth using only their facial muscles—no hands allowed! This game is as funny to watch as it is to play, especially with teammates.
Step-by-step:
- Give each player a cookie (preferably something sturdy like an Oreo).
- Have participants sit or stand in a visible area where everyone can watch.
- Instruct players to place the cookie on their forehead.
- Start the timer and let them begin moving the cookie toward their mouth using only facial movements.
- The first person to successfully eat the cookie wins!
Duration: 1 minute per round
Required materials: Cookies
Group size: 4-30+ participants
Why it works for teams: This game boosts team spirit and tests player’s patience and resilience.
2. Cup Stack Pyramid
Cup Stack Pyramid challenges participants to build and dismantle a pyramid of plastic cups in under 60 seconds. The goal is to stack cups into a triangular formation and then return them to a single stack as quickly as possible. It’s nerve-wracking and perfect for sparking healthy competition.
Step-by-step:
- Provide each participant or team with 36 plastic cups (or adjust based on difficulty).
- Set up a table or flat surface for stacking.
- Players must create a pyramid by stacking cups in rows (for example, 8 cups at the base, then 7, 6, etc).
- Once the pyramid is complete, participants must unstack the cups back into a single column before time runs out.
- The fastest individual or team wins the game.
Duration: 1-2 minutes per round
Required materials: Plastic cups (36 per participant/team)
Group size: 2-25+ participants (can be played individually or in teams)
Why it works for teams: Improves focus, hand-eye coordination, and creates high-energy moments of suspense and excitement.
3. Sticky Note Relay
Sticky Note Relay is a quirky team game that involves transferring sticky notes from one person to another—using only foreheads. This activity guarantees encourages collaboration and is an excellent icebreaker to start a session or meeting.
Step-by-step:
- Divide participants into teams of two or more people each.
- Provide each team with a stack of sticky notes (around 20-30 per team).
- The first player places a sticky note on their forehead and transfers it to the next teammate’s forehead without using hands.
- Continue passing sticky notes down the line until they reach the last person or time runs out.
- The team that transfers the most sticky notes successfully wins!
Duration: 5-10 minutes per round
Required materials: Sticky notes (20-30 per team)
Group size: 6-20+ participants (in teams of 2-5 people each)
Why it works for teams: Breaks down barriers, fosters teamwork, and helps new team members feel comfortable with one another.
4. One-Minute Life Hack
One-Minute Life Hack is a quick, practical icebreaker, ideal to start your team meeting with focus and energy. In this activity, team members share their most clever, unexpected productivity trick or personal strategy that helps them thrive at work. Participants rapidly exchange insights that can potentially benefit the entire team.
Step-by-step:
- Announce life hack sharing challenge
- Each person has 30-60 seconds
- Share one unique productivity tip
- Can be work or personal related
- Group discusses most interesting hacks
Duration: 7-10 minutes
Group size: 8-20 participants
Required materials: None
Why it works for teams: Promotes knowledge sharing and encourages creative problem-solving
5. Rain Icebreaker
Rain Icebreaker is an activity that encourages participation by everyone. The challenge starts with a simulation of the sound of a rainstorm through coordinated group actions. Participants create a progression of sounds, starting with hand rubbing and moving through finger snapping and knee slapping, to mimic the buildup and fade of a rain shower. This activity serves to synchronize the group's energy and focus, creating a sensory experience that helps transition into the main session/meeting.
Step-by-step:
- Arrange participants in rows
- Start with front row rubbing hands
- Gradually add rows, progressing through actions:
- Hand rubbing
- Finger snapping
- Knee slapping
- Reverse the process to “end” the rainstorm
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Group size: 15-50 participants
Required materials: None
Why it works for teams: Creates focus and energy, encourages synchronized group action, and builds group cohesion.
Quick Minute to Win It Games Requiring Minimal Supplies
Minute to Win It games are famous for being quick, but these ones are only 60-seconds long! Ideal for when you don’t have a lot of time to spare, they keep your team’s focus and engagement at the top!
6. Penny Tower
In this game – Penny Tower –, players have 60 seconds to stack as many pennies as possible using only one hand. The other hand must be placed behind the back to avoid cheating! It’s a simple activity to set that requires only two things: Steady hands and focus. Plus, it helps creating a competitive atmosphere.
Step-by-step:
- Divide employees in small teams.
- Each team has a recipient of pennies that they have to stack.
- Set the timer for 60 seconds and start stacking using only one hand.
- When time’s up, the team that stacked the most pennies, wins.
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: Pennies
Group size: 6-20 participants (in teams of 3-5 people each)
Why it works for teams: Promotes communication between team members and fosters healthy competition and teamwork.
7. Balloon Balance
Challenge your team to a round of Balloon Balance, where participants must keep three balloons in the air for a full minute without letting them touch the ground. Make it even more competitive by dividing into teams and turning it into a tournament. For this game, spatial awareness and quick reactions are a must! Want to make it extra challenging? Restrict certain movement or add more balloons!.
Step-by-step:
- Divide into pairs or small teams
- Set the timer for one minute and don’t let your three balloons touch the group for that period of time.
- You’re welcome to try and push other team’s balloons to the ground!
- At the end of the 60 seconds, the team whose ballons did not touch the ground, wins.
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: Balloons
Group size: 10-20 participants (in teams of 2-4 people each)
Why it works for teams: Promotes rapid reactions, teamwork, and friendly competition.
8. Ping Pong Bounce
At Ping Pong Bounce, players have to bounce ping pong balls into cups that are strategically arranged at the end of the table. Teams can compete to see who fills their cups first. It’s an activity that is easily scalable for different group sizes and icebreaker games for work.
Step-by-step:
- Divide your group in two teams.
- For one minute, each team competes to fill their cups with ping pong balls.
- When time’s up, the winning team is the one that filled most cups.
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: Ping pong balls and cups
Group size: 10-20 participants
Why it works for teams: This games brings teams together in a fun, competitive environment.
Team-Based Minute to Win It Challenges
These challenges are particularly known for requiring groups to be divided in teams, which highlights how competition-focused they are. They’re entertaining ways to bring corporate teams together while also sharing special moments.
9. Tissue Box Shake
Challenge your team to a round of Tissue Box Shake, where participants must empty tissue boxes filled with ping pong balls using only their hip movements. This activity creates uproarious moments while encouraging team spirit and physical coordination.
Step-by-step:
- Attach empty tissue boxes filled with ping pong balls to players' waists
- Set the timer for 60 seconds
- Participants must shake their hips vigorously to empty the boxes
- The first person or team to empty their box(es) wins
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: Empty tissue boxes, ping pong balls, string or belt to attach boxes
Group size: 10-20 participants (can be played individually or in teams)
Why it works for teams: Promotes physical activity and friendly competition while breaking down social barriers.
10. Cup-to-Cup Transfer
Engage your team in a wild Cup-to-Cup Transfer challenge, where coordination and teamwork are a must for success. This activity requires teams to work together to transfer water from one bucket to another using only cups, creating an exciting and potentially messy experience.
Step-by-step:
- Divide participants into equal teams and have them line up
- Place a full bucket of water at the front of each line and an empty bucket at the back
- Give each person a cup
- Teams must transfer water from the front bucket to the back one by passing cups overhead
- The first team to reach the marked water level in their back bucket wins
Duration: 1 minute per round
Required materials: Buckets, cups, water, towels for cleanup
Group size: 10-30 participants (in teams of 5-10 people each)
Why it works for teams: Encourages communication, coordination, and strategic thinking while working towards a common goal.
11. Stack Attack
Put your team's dexterity and communication skills to the test with Stack Attack, a fast-paced cup stacking challenge that fosters healthy competition and strategic thinking among departments or teams. It’s a fantastic problem-solving activity your team will love!
Step-by-step:
- Divide participants into equal teams
- Provide each team with a set of cups and a pattern to follow
- Set a time limit (60 seconds is ideal)
- Teams must stack and unstack their cups according to the given pattern as many times as possible within the time limit
- The team with the most completed stacks wins
Duration: 1 minute per round
Required materials: Plastic cups (10-15 per team), pattern cards or diagrams
Group size: 8-24 participants (in teams of 2-6 people each)
Why it works for teams: Promotes clear communication, strategy development, and quick thinking under pressure.
Minute to Win It Games for Corporate Retreats
These Minute to Win It games can easily be adaptable to any setting, including team offsites. Because they are fast-paced and don’t require special materials, you can set them up indoors or outdoors, inside or outside of the office.
12. Random Fact Rapid Fire
Random Fact Rapid Fire is an ultra-quick icebreaker where participants share the most unexpected, bizarre fact they know in 10 seconds or less. The goal is to surprise, entertain, and reveal who’s the king or queen of fun facts of the team.
Step-by-step:
- Set strict 10-second time limit
- Each person shares one bizarre fact
- Group reacts
- No repeated facts allowed
Duration: 5-7 minutes
Group size: 8-30 participants
Required materials: None
Why it works for teams: Creates instant energy and encourages quick thinking
13. Stress Balls Game
This is a quick icebreaker to get everyone energized before getting ready for the day. In the Stress Balls game, participants form a circle and pass a stress ball to their left. After a round, discuss how it went, then ramp up the speed. Keep adding challenges - like other balls, or saying aloud the color of each ball as you pass it to the next person - until the game turns into chaos! It’s a fun way to highlight the power of communication, focus, and collaboration.
Step-by-step:
- Participants stand in a circle and pass a stress ball to their left
- After the first round, discuss how it went
- Increase the speed of passing the ball
- Introduce additional challenges to make it more chaotic
- Reflect on the importance of teamwork
Duration: 10 minutes in total
Group size: Up to 30 participants
Required materials: Stress balls
Why it works for teams: This game promotes communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
14. Bang!
In this fast-paced icebreaker, quick reflexes and focus are key. Everyone stands in a circle with one person as the 'sheriff' in the middle.The sheriff points at someone, who must crouch quickly while the players on either side 'draw' their weapons sharply. Slow reflexes mean you’re out or you become the next sheriff. This high-energy game is ideal for breaking the ice and boosting group energy before starting your work day.
Step-by-step:
- Players form a circle, with one person as the sheriff in the center
- The sheriff points at someone, who must crouch quickly
- The players on either side must “draw” their imaginary weapons
- Slow players are eliminated or become the next sheriff
- Play continues until a final showdown!
Duration: 15 minutes in total
Group size: Up to 50 participants
Required materials: Improving focus and communication.
Why it works for teams: It’s an excellent activity to energize your team and have them focus and ready for the day.
15. Office Supply Scramble
Put everyday office supplies to use with Office Supply Scramble. This activity challenges teams to complete tasks using items like paper clips, sticky notes, or rubber bands. Whether it’s creating the longest paper clip chain or building a tower out of sticky notes, this game offers a playful break from routine while subtly connecting to workplace skills.
Step-by-step:
- Gather common office supplies such as paper clips, sticky notes, rubber bands, or pens.
- Create a list of challenges, like “make the longest paper clip chain”, “build a tower using sticky notes”, or “launch a rubber band the farthest”.
- Divide participants into small teams and assign them tasks to complete within a set time limit.
- Award points for each completed task.
- The team with the most points at the end wins.
Duration: 5-10 minutes per challenge
Required materials: Office supplies (paper clips, sticky notes, rubber bands, pens, etc.)
Group size: 10-30 participants (in teams of 2-5 people each)
Why it works for teams: Encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while using relatable workplace materials in a fun way.
16. Marshmallow Architecture
Unleash your team’s inner architects with Marshmallow Architecture. Using marshmallows and toothpicks, teams compete to build the tallest free-standing structure. This activity rewards creativity and good planning practises while showcasing different problem-solving approaches.
Step-by-step:
- Provide each team with marshmallows and toothpicks.
- Set a time limit for teams to build their structures.
- The goal is to create the tallest free-standing structure possible within the time frame.
- At the end of the time limit, measure each structure to determine the winner.
Duration: 10-15 minutes in total
Required materials: Marshmallows, toothpicks, ruler or measuring tape
Group size: 8-20 participants (in teams of 2-4 people each)
Why it works for teams: Encourages creativity, teamwork, and strategic planning while highlighting different approaches to problem-solving.
17. Spaghetti Transfer
Get ready to put your team’s concentration to test with Spaghetti Transfer. In this quirky challenge, players must use uncooked spaghetti held in their mouths to transfer pasta rings into a bowl—no hands allowed. This game is both difficult and entertaining, making it perfect for corporate retreats or team-building days.
Step-by-step:
- Provide each participant with an uncooked spaghetti strand and a handful of pasta rings (e.g., penne or rigatoni).
- Place an empty bowl at a short distance from each player.
- Players must hold the spaghetti in their mouths and use it to pick up pasta rings one at a time.
- The goal is to transfer as many rings as possible into the bowl within 60 seconds.
- The player or team with the most rings in their bowl at the end wins.
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: Uncooked spaghetti strands, pasta rings (penne/rigatoni), bowls
Group size: 10-20 participants (can be played individually or in teams)
Why it works for teams: Promotes focus and coordination, whilebringing teams closer together.
18. Perfect Circles
Test your team's drawing skills with Perfect Circles, an activity you can set up anywhere. Using a virtual whiteboard, players must draw as many perfect circles as possible within a minute. Turn it into a tournament for extra fun and to increase competition!
Step-by-step:
- Set up a virtual whiteboard accessible to all players.
- Start the timer for 60 seconds.
- Players draw circles on the whiteboard.
- The player who draws the most circles wins.
Duration: 60 seconds
Required materials: Virtual whiteboard
Group size: 5-10 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes focus and creativity in an entertaining setting.
19. M&M Straw Game
This is a crowd pleaser your team will truly enjoy: Engage your crew in the classic M&M Straw Game. Players must transfer M&Ms from one plate to another using only a straw within 60 seconds. Divide into teams to promote laughter and teamwork!
Step-by-step:
- Prepare two plates with M&Ms on one.
- Give each player a straw.
- Set the timer for 60 seconds.
- Players use suction to move M&Ms from one plate to the other.
- The player who transfers the most M&Ms wins.
Duration: 60 seconds per round
Required materials: M&Ms, two plates, straws
Group size: 5-10 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages teamwork and coordination between groups and it’s an engaging activity every group will enjoy.
20. Clipper
Inspired by the classic game of pinball, Clipper involves using a ping pong ball to hit binder clips on a tilted table. Players must get the ball to land between the clips.
Step-by-step:
- Set up a tilted table with binder clips acting as bumpers.
- Players release a ping pong ball from the raised end.
- The goal is to get the ball to land between the clips at the lower end.
- The player who succeeds wins.
Duration: 60 seconds
Required materials: Table, binder clips, ping pong ball
Group size: 5-10 participants
Why it works for teams: Fosters strategy and precision between team members.
21. Rubber Band Shooting Gallery
Set up a shooting gallery with aluminum cans and rubber bands. In Rubber Band Shooting Gallery, players must knock over as many cans as possible within a minute.
Step-by-step:
- Arrange aluminum cans at a distance.
- Give each player a set of rubber bands.
- Set the timer for 60 seconds.
- Players shoot rubber bands to knock over cans.
- The player who knocks over the most cans wins.
Duration: 60 seconds
Required materials: Aluminum cans, rubber bands
Group size: 5-10 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes focus and precision under pressure.
Wrapping Up
Incorporating Minute to Win It games into your corporate events can be an impactful way to promote teamwork, creativity, and camaraderie among colleagues. These engaging activities provide a welcome break from routine but also provide innovative opportunities for team members to bond and develop essential skills like communication, strategy, and problem-solving.
The best part? They also break the ice, which is especially important when new members arrive to the team or when different departments cross ways.
Whether you're planning a small team-building session or a large corporate retreat, these 21 games offer a diverse range of challenges that are sure to inspire your participants.
Regardless of the activities you choose to implement in your retreat, planning a corporate offsite doesn’t have to be a complex task.
At TeamOut, with our extensive network of over 4,000 global venues and a track record of designing more than 600 successful events, we can craft a retreat that aligns with your company's objectives and budget.
Our expertise not only ensures a smooth experience but can also result in cost savings, potentially up to 30% on venue expenses. Schedule a free call with TeamOut today and set the wheels in motion for a fantastic team outing!
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